Anthocyanin-rich Seoritae extract ameliorates renal lipotoxicity viaactivation of AMP-activated protein kinase in diabetic mice

Background Anthocyanins are major constituents of food colours and have been reported to possess anti-diabetic activities for potential medicinal use. The precise role of anthocyanins in diabetic nephropathy is poorly understood. We investigated whether anthocyanin-rich Seoritae extract (SE) can potentially prevent oxidative stress and lipotoxicity, which are the main causes of renal damage in diabetic nephropathy, via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the consequent effects on its target molecules. Methods Four groups of male C57BLKS/J db/m and db/db mice were used. Diabetic and non-diabetic mice were orally administered 10 mg/kg body weight SE daily for 12 weeks, starting at 8 weeks of age. Results db/db mice treated with anthocyanins showed decreased albuminuria. Anthocyanins ameliorated intra-renal lipid concentrations in db/db mice with improvement of glomerular matrix expansion and inflammation, which was related to increased phosphorylation of AMPK and activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and PPARγ, and inhibited the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1. Anthocyanins reversed diabetes-induced increases in renal apoptosis and oxidative stress. In cultured human glomerular endothelial cells, anthocyanins prevented high glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through activation of AMPK in the same manner. Conclusions The results revealed that anthocyanins ameliorated diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice via phosphorylation of AMPK, the major energy-sensing enzyme, and the consequent effects on its target molecules, which appeared to prevent lipotoxicity-related apoptosis and oxidative stress in the kidney. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0563-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.